A Tag Game!

I've been tagged to play a photo game by Sher @ Sher's Creative Expressions!

Here are the rules to this fun game:

1) Go to the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.
2) Post the 4th picture in the folder.
3) Explain the photo.
4) Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!

Since I really stink at tagging people, just go on ahead and join in if you'd like, OK? OK, sounds good!

*Here's the explanation of my photo. It was taken in August 2008 at Navy Pier in Chicago. Bobby & I took a dinner cruise that left from Navy Pier. It was a very fun time. This picture was taken from the window of our hotel room.

This & That News...

I had a chemo treatment this morning and it went well. My blood counts were probably the highest they've been - yay! The nurses were quite pleased with the numbers. I also found out that I miscalculated what treatment # I'm on...ONLY FIVE MORE TO GO!!!!! Five, that's it! Just think how quickly 5 weeks pass by. I am beyond thrilled!

I don't know if I've shared this part about chemo before. I go on the same day at the same time every week. That's how they work it at my oncologist's office. So you get to see the same people almost every week. There is a very nice couple in their mid 60s who come in at the same time I do. The husband has lung cancer. We always sit next to each other and visit throughout our treatment times. Today we were sharing more details of our respective cancer journeys. Ben never smoked a day in his life and ended up with lung cancer. It was a big shock to Ben & his wife. His cancer was found when he was in the hospital for heart-related issues.

People who are dealing with cancer just have this whole 'kindred spirits' thing going on. I mean, you feel like you can just be so open. Ben asked me if I ever discussed my prognosis with the oncologist. He asked but never got a straight answer - just a bunch of statistics about lung cancer. I've never really come right out and asked, not in a very specific way anyhow. The doctor just threw it out there...'The prognosis is good.'

I've also kept in touch with a gal from chemo whose treatments are done now. We went to the same group of doctors - breast surgeon, plastic surgeon and oncologist. The encouragement and understanding I got from Dian was priceless. She's a very upbeat lady.

But sadly, as I'm sure you're aware, not every person with cancer chooses to be open. In my opinion - and through MY experience - one really robs themselves of love, care, compassion, understanding, someone to vent to, cry with, encouragement...all of the things you need at a time like this! I met another lady at chemo who only told ONE other person she had cancer and swore them to secrecy. Let me tell you, it gets difficult trying to be brave and strong all the time - much less not revealing something so life changing as a cancer diagnosis. Cause it does change every aspect about your life. I would find it much too difficult to play the role of pretender.

I heard of another person today - a friend of a friend - who is a single, middle-aged man facing a recurrence of cancer but doesn't want any help from anyone. I guess he said something to the effect that he's a strong person so he'll just get through this - he doesn't need anyone. That makes me sad to hear how he is robbing himself from so many things he needs. No, it's not my business. I know that. But I think it's extremely sad.

In other news, our youngest daughter Tess needs glasses so we got those ordered today. They'll be here in about a week or so. She is actually looking forward to getting them so I am relieved to not have a fight on my hands or many reminders to 'wear your glasses, Tess'.

Our oldest daughter Taylor went to an after-school meeting today about the upcoming rugby season. She is going to play again this year. Last season was my very first introduction to rugby. Whoa, what a tough sport! Some of those girls are out for blood!

There are so many little details that need to be taken care for our son's high school graduation. Gotta order the cap & gown, announcements, name cards, senior pictures, etc... Plans for the graduation party at the end of June are coming together. We've settled on having it here at home with a big tent in the front yard. (Tables & chairs under there, of course DUH :) So many family members have graciously offered to make food and ya know what? I'm taking them all up on it, too! (Hey, I'm no dummy!) I like parties to have themes so we're going to personalize it according to what best represents Tyler. He doesn't really want to go with his school colors so we're not. I'm gonna make centerpieces and already have many decorating ideas. In the coming months I'm planning to shop for supplies, make a few scrapbooks, picture boards - I'd like to do as much prep ahead as I possibly can. This planning is also proving to be quite therapeutic for me in getting my mind off cancer treatment, which is a WONDERFUL thing.

So that's about what's happening around these parts.

Hope you're all enjoying a good week :)

P.S. My nephew Christian is celebrating a birthday today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRISTIAN!!!! Sorry I'll be late getting something to you...I haven't forgotten you, really! Love ya, bud :)

Family Fun

My daughter Taylor & I decided to pick up a Skip-Bo card game tonight while we were out doing some shopping. I haven't played in years! We had a lot of fun and shared so many laughs :)

Do you like Skip-Bo or what is *your* favorite card game? My husband & his family all really enjoy playing euchre...um, I don't know how to play, though!

We're continuing to get lots of snow around here and it's very cold. So it's *definitely* fitting to stay indoors and play some games or work on a puzzle. Taylor & I also bought a new puzzle...so far we've got the outline done.

Whatever you're doing, stay warm and enjoy your weekend!

Yeah, I'm Still Around...

I'm still here - just took a little blogging break...

I had a routine appointment with my oncologist last Monday (a week ago). After some discussion about how severe the side effects of the treatment were, the doctor decided to decrease my weekly dosage by 20% AND I don't have to "make up" any additional treatment weeks (yay!). Last Tuesday was the first decreased dose and boy, let me tell ya - it made ALL the difference in the world! I felt a little bit achy but nowhere near like I had been feeling so I was VERY thankful for that. It's like I have this new attitude now - like 'yes, I CAN get through this...'

The only not-so-great thing that came out of the appointment was that I will have to go have a few x-rays on my spine. I've been having some pain there. My doctor DOES NOT believe the cancer has spread...he said that's very rare while undergoing chemo...so this is just a 'get it checked out to be safe' type of thing.

This morning is another chemo treatment. We got more snow overnight so I've gotta get moving to be on time...my car needs to be cleared off and warmed up...oh, the joys of living of MI...I believe today's HIGH temp won't even be double digits...brrrr!!!!!!!

Have an awesome day!

My Hard-Workin' Boy

Last night my husband & I took our youngest daughter out to dinner. Tess said she was in the mood for Chinese food so we ended up going to the restaurant where our son works. (They have such a great buffet there...yum!) Tyler was actually at work and last night he was bussing tables. (He does a variety of jobs there.) Bobby, Tess & I were seated in the same dining room where Tyler was working and I must say, it was pretty entertaining to watch him. Tyler's such a hard worker and he interacts very well with people. I was proud to see that :) Boy, he is ever fast, too!

He was clearing a table when we were leaving and I walked over there to say goodbye. Tyler got this goofy smile and said to me, 'Mom, I'm NOT hugging ya right now!' I teased him right back...'Oh, but WHY NOT?!' Nah, I wouldn't really have embarrassed him like that. I just said bye and left :)

The kids go back to school tomorrow. I *think* they're actually looking forward to it!

Tomorrow is also the day I have an appointment to see my oncologist. One of the nurses threw the option out to me at the last chemo treatment to have my dosage slightly decreased because I've been having such severe side effects. It's definitely something to talk about with my doctor, but Bobby & I feel it's better to just get through these next 8 treatments instead of extending it weeks longer. You can't even IMAGINE how badly I want to be DONE with chemo!

Hope everyone enjoys a peaceful Sunday :)

Our Hope Endures...

I recently heard this song by Natalie Grant and boy, could I ever identify with the lyrics! It's called "Our Hope Endures"...

You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume that this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here

Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged

How do we comprehend peace within pain
Our joy at a good man's wake
Walk a mile with a woman whose body is torn
With illness but she marches on

Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged

Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient

We never walk alone
This is our hope
Our hope endures, the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged

I think the words to this song are particularly important to remember....we are never alone - God truly is always with us! I take great comfort in that and you can too.